Live Review: Wil Wagner, Georgia Maq, Iona Cairns, Jack R Reilly

Jack R Reilly’s softly strummed, feelings-soaked set was the perfect spark to ignite an evening of musical soul food and lyrical oversharing.

A huge songwriting talent, Reilly has mastered both guitar and stage and delivers a humble, strong show. From famous encounters to self-perceived inadequacies, his songs play to the everyman, relatable and generous.

This was Iona Cairns’ first solo show. As she shot furtive glances, seeking reassurance from Wagner at side of stage, it was difficult to understand why she was so nervous.
Her voice is strong and clear, echoing Kate Nash. Usually a bass player for Great Cynics, her pop-punk sensibilities made for up-tempo acoustic gems.

Georgia Maq made me weep openly at a gig. Her songs rode the strings of the borrowed acoustic and slid to my heart. She has an unapologetic confidence in not having life’s answers, in having done things she shouldn’t have, in growing up and getting better.

It was Footscray Station that tipped me over the edge, but her honesty is the central magic to all of her music. As she says herself on What Do You Mean (The Bank’s Out Of Money), “I could never write poetry, so I try to tell the truth.”

Wil Wagner’s songs capture moments so spectacularly that you could never dedicate them to another.  It’s this openness that electrifies the crowd and draws you in, but only so far as to play voyeur in the amazing life of Wagner.  Playing solo brought new meaning to Smith Street classics and unveiled yet more personal details, like caring what 16-year-old Canadian girls think.

He’s nailed the classic male lead role, where people either want to be him or shag him. As a friend said wistfully on the night, “Imagine being written into a Wil Wagner song?” The perpetual motion of touring, the extreme exuberance and exhaustion was laid bare on stage. Just imagine his mind, where the centre doubles the speed of the crust – brilliance burning bright.